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Motorists traveling eastbound on the Dulles Toll Road and in the area around Washington Dulles International Airport on the afternoon of Friday, August 19 are advised of road closures and major traffic delays due to a September 11, 2001 motorcycle tribute procession traveling through Leesburg, Virginia, beginning at 2:00 p.m., to the Pentagon.

The America’s 9/11 Foundation, Inc. is expecting more than 1,800 motorcyclists to participate in a ride from Shanksville, Pennsylvania to the Pentagon then to the site of the World Trade Center in New York City. On Friday, August 19, the group will travel eastbound along the Dulles Greenway, the Dulles Toll Road, the Dulles Airport Access Highway and Interstate 66, causing major traffic delays—especially for commuters on the eastbound Dulles Toll Road and all motorists leaving Dulles Airport.

Police departments from all the jurisdictions affected will escort the motorcycle procession and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police will provide escort from the Dulles Greenway to Interstate-66. Motorists should be advised of the following so they may plan alternate routes:

• From Route 28 to Route 7 in Tysons Corner, the two LEFT eastbound lanes of the Dulles Toll Road will be reserved for the motorcycle procession.

• The two RIGHT eastbound lanes of the Dulles Toll Road will remain open for regular traffic entering and exiting the Toll Road from all points EXCEPT FOR Route 28 and Dulles Airport. [See below for additional information about the Route 28 detour and options for travelers leaving Dulles Airport.]

• Just before Route 7 (Leesburg Pike), the motorcycle procession will leave the eastbound Toll Road and travel on the Dulles Airport Access Highway. From there, it will continue onto Interstate 66 eastbound using the Dulles Connector Road. All regular eastbound traffic, including taxis, commuter buses and Washington Flyer Coach Service, will be excluded from this route.

• The eastbound Dulles Connector Road leading to eastbound Interstate 66 will be CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC except the motorcycle procession. This closure will also extend to taxis, commuter buses and Washington Flyer Coach Service.

• All motorists on the eastbound Dulles Toll Road will only have access to ramps leading to Interstate 495 (Beltway) North or South once they pass the Main Toll Plaza. Expect heavy congestion in this area and avoid it if possible.

• Because eastbound I-66 will be closed from the Dulles Connector Road to Rosslyn, motorists from Maryland and Virginia heading to Reagan National should allow extra time to reach the Airport along alternate routes.

Here are the specific impacts for traffic using Dulles Airport:

• Westbound lanes on the Dulles Toll Road and the Dulles Airport Access Highway will remain open for motorists heading towards Dulles Airport. All ramps along the route will be open except for the ramp from northbound Route 28 to Dulles. A detour will be posted directing Route 28 traffic to the next exit (Route 606) then back to the airport.

Bear left to follow the eastbound Dulles Airport Access Highway to Route 7 in Tysons Corner. No other exits from the Access Highway, including I-495 and I-66 will be available from this route.

Bear right to Access the Dulles Greenway westbound, or Route 28 north or south.

• Traffic leaving Dulles Airport for Maryland, Washington, DC or any point along the Toll Road will need to select an alternate route based on the options above.

This is a major regional event that will impact traffic throughout Northern Virginia during the Friday afternoon commute. The Airports Authority recognizes the inconvenience this will cause motorists on the Dulles Toll Road and passengers leaving Dulles Airport during this time. Airports Authority Police are working with other area law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of the traveling public and attempt to minimize traffic congestion and delays during this event. We will be monitoring the progress of the ride along the Toll Road and posting status updates on our Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/dcairports.